The union advised the department to allow doctors completing their community service training to pair with the Cuban doctors.
THE NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has called on the Northern Cape Department of Health to ramp up its Covid-19 regulations following the deployment of the Cuban medical brigade to assist in containing the spread of Covid-19 in the Province.
Nehawu provincial secretary Steffen Cornelius said that the union enjoyed a good relationship with the Cuban doctors who were already serving at state health care facilities.
“We are ardent admirers of the Cuban doctors because of their passion and resilience, even when confronted by appalling and inhumane conditions in some of our health care institutions,” said Cornelius.
He advised the Department of Health to allow doctors who were completing their community service training to pair with the Cuban doctors on their duties – for skills transfer, particularly in community health care.
“We note the low number of infections in the Province. However, we remain highly concerned by the low number of tests and screenings that have been done so far, especially in the public sector. The provincial government must form a task team to focus on mass screening, testing and contact tracing as a matter of urgency,” said Cornelius.
He added that Nehawu would continue to ensure that the Department of Health complied with the Occupational Health and Safety Act in ensuring that all health workers have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPEs).
“We will equally extend this fight to include the Cuban doctors, who have left their families, friends and their homeland to come and serve us with diligence.”
